AKUH performs Pakistan’s first gene therapy

When baby Shavez was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, Dr Salman Kirmani and his team from the Aga Khan University Hospital Pakistan applied for him to be one of 100 patients per year – and the first in Pakistan – to receive free gene therapy from Novartis. After tests, staff training and managing the logistics, they were able to give Shavez the drug just before his second birthday. With continuing free care and consultations, Shavez has shown significant improvement.